Map Disclaimer: The map features are approximate and are intended only
to provide an indication of said feature. Additional areas that have not
been mapped may be present. This is not a survey. The County assumes no
liability for variations ascertained by actual survey. ALL DATA IS
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND ‘WITH ALL FAULTS.’ The County makes no
warranty of fitness for a particular purpose.

Marijuana Regulations

State Regulations:

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is charged with the oversight and licensing of marijuana businesses. Please contact the WSLCB for all questions specific to licensing.

The granting of a license does not supersede compliance with Pierce County Code.

View the State Regulatory Changes

Requires licensed marijuana retailers to obtain a medical marijuana endorsement to allow them to sell medical-grade marijuana to qualifying patients and designated providers.

Reduces the amount of marijuana that a qualifying patient may possess from 24 ounces and 15 plants to three ounces of useable marijuana, 48 ounces of solid marijuana-infused product, 216 ounces of liquid marijuana-infused product, 21 grams of marijuana concentrates, and six plants, unless a health care professional has authorized more.

Requires qualifying patients and designated providers to be entered into the Medical Marijuana Authorization Database, established by an administrator under contract with the Department of Health, and to obtain an authorization card.

Eliminates collective gardens and replaces them with cooperatives which may only have four qualifying patients or designated providers and must be registered with the Liquor and Cannabis Board.

State licensed recreational marijuana PROCESSORS have the following additional requirements:

Limited to:

Employment Center (EC),

Community Employment (CE), and

Mixed Use District (MUD) zone classifications.

Required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit.

State licensed recreational marijuana PRODUCERS (growers) have the following additional requirements:

Limited to:

Employment Centers (EC), and

Community Employment Center (CE) zone classifications.

Only allowed within a fully enclosed secure indoor facility or greenhouse.

Limited to 10,000 sq. ft. of production space only.

Required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit.

Conditional Use Permit Process

A conditional use permit is required for uses that have unique features or characteristics that may require additional controls or conditions to minimize impacts on adjacent land uses. These actions are reviewed by County staff and presented in a public hearing format before the County Hearing Examiner. Notice is provided to the adjacent property owners and public testimony is accepted at the hearing. The Examiner issues a decision within two weeks of the hearing and may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request.

Note on Medical Marijuana Regulations

In unincorporated Pierce County, cooperatives are not recognized under current development regulations. State-licensed marijuana retailers with medical endorsements are regulated the same as recreational retailers.